BITS AND BOBS

Last updated : 20 June 2006 By eD

* The Sun report that Nicky Butt is to join Sheffield United for £500,000.

* Fernando Torres got two goals last night as Spain finally saw off Tunisia. 3-1 after being 0-1 down for most of the match.


* A marriage made in heaven is in the waiting on Merseyside after reports surfaced that Liverpool are close to signing Craig Bellamy. £6m quid.


* From The Times:

Niall Quinn arrived in the North East last night with a view to completing his prospective takeover of Sunderland. The former Ireland international, who is leading a consortium attempting to purchase the majority shareholding of Bob Murray, flew to Teesside Airport and was due to meet the club's former chairman in an undisclosed North Yorkshire location.

Reports in Wearside earlier yesterday suggested that key members of Quinn's Irish-based bidding team had withdrawn their support, a notion ridiculed by the former Sunderland striker. Quinn's team are understood to have submitted their formal offer last week for the club, who remain around £40 million in debt, and subsequent delays have been because of haggling over figures.

"The idea that any member of my consortium has withdrawn is woefully inaccurate," Quinn said before his meeting with Murray. "They are as committed as I am. Our finance is in place, our due diligence is completed and I'm here tonight to overcome the very last obstacle."


* Bayern's Lukas Podolski makes some Ruud comments:

"It would be great if a striker like Van Nistelrooy would come to Munich.

"He is a world-class player and I could learn a lot from him."